I throw a pillow at her. "He's hot. And holy cow, so amazing inbed!"
"Ahh!" She covers her ears. "La la la la, I didn't hear that." She laughs and walks over to give me ahug.
* * *
"Isthis how my life is going to go now? If I want to see my best friend, it will include my brother too?" Tracy asks as we head toward a table at a bar Connor said had great burgers andmusic.
"Yes, and you’ll be happy for said best friend too," I jokinglychastise.
Connor enters minutes after we do, and to my surprise and delight, he greets me with a quickpeck.
"Really?" Tracy huffs but winks at me. "Hey, bro." She stands to give him ahug.
"What's up, squirt?" he responds rubbing herhead.
"You actually like this guy?" she asks, fixing herhair.
I look at Connor, and he smiles in return. "Yeah, Ido."
His lips touch mine again, and Tracy yells for the waiter, announcing, "I need a drink over hereplease."
Our dinner is the most fun I've had in a long time. We tell stories of our childhood and laugh until our sides hurt. When the band starts playing, Connor pulls me onto the dance floor. He tugs me close, one hand holding mine, the other wrapped around mywaist.
We dance, as I drop my head to his chest and let him lead me through the song. A happiness like this is something I've never experienced. I feel whole for the first time in mylife.
My eyes open and meet Tracy's. I wish the look on her face matched the feelings in my heart. I silently plead for her forgiveness and blessing. She's torn, and it breaks my heart to put her in thissituation.
It's not long after our dance that Tracy says she's tired. Connor pays for our tab, and we stroll back to our place. She goes inside while Connor and I say goodbye at mydoor.
"Is she pissed about us?" Connorasks.
"Nah, she was grossed out, but I think tonight wasfun."
"Me too. Sad you can't come home with me." He shoots me a panty-melting smile, and I swear they actually melt, but I push himaway.
"I should stay with her. She goes back to college in a few days. I'll see you tomorrowthough?"
He kisses me. "You bet. I'll call you in themorning."
"Okay,night."
He winks as he walks away and it physically pains me that I can't go with him. When I enter, I notice none of my roommates are home and Tracy’s sitting on my couch, anxiously awaiting me. She tilts her head, motioning for me to sitdown.
"Kenzie, you know I love you, right?" She reaches for my hand and blinks awaytears.
I nod, fearful where this isgoing.
She gathers her thoughts. "Obviously I've known my brother forever. Though I talk shit, and we mess with each other when we’re together, I know him better than anyone else. Crap." She drops her head back against my couch. "I watched you two tonight. The way he looked at you at dinner, the way he touched your thigh or shoulder. Then during your dance." Tears fall, but she doesn't wipe them away. "He's in love with you. There's no doubt in my mind. I've never seen him look at anyone like he did you tonight. Not evenSarah."
My eyes spill over, and I try to cover them before I completely loseit.
"You have to tell him. This can't go on without him knowing thetruth."
"How? How do I tell him?" My hands cover myface.
"I don't know." She wraps her arms around me. "I just don't know," she cries into myshoulder.
12
